Alabama Hispanic chamber formed

BIRMINGHAM | With Alabama's Spanish-speaking population growing exponentially, the Alabama Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has been formed to assist Hispanic businesses.

The members include professions and businesses such as mortgage brokers, retailers, consultants, insurance agents, event planners and publishers.

Moises "Moe" Vela, chairman and a founder of the group, said the goal is to unify Alabama's Hispanic business community.

"The hundreds of Latino-owned businesses in Alabama deserve their rightful place at the table of economic prosperity, access to their government and full involvement in all aspects of society and this organization will lend a unified voice toward that effort," Vela said.

Vela said the chamber was formed because he felt a need for a business group made up only of Hispanic entrepreneurs.

The chamber will offer members services such as workshops, seminars and forums on technology, access to capital, starting a business, business referrals, networking opportunities, and a job bank.

Vela owns Central Latino Law Center, an agency that helps Hispanics. Other directors include vice chairman Jairo Vargos, publisher of Latino News in Gadsden; treasurer Sigfredo Rubio of Expo Latino in Birmingham; and secretary Axel Barron of a property management company in Birmingham.

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